[@Claw2k11]

Ernst's dark lips puckered at the mention of his eldest son, he had never truly gotten over the ease with which his son decided to leave. One night he was riding with the knights, the next day he was gone along with half of the guards. Oliver had taken it the hardest, Reinhardt and him had shared a greater bond than he had shared with his own brothers.

"Trust me, my lady," Ernst spoke, staring off into the distance sadly. "Reinhardt wasn't the type to rescue girls from towers and live happily ever after." Turning to Alois, he motioned for the boy to speak.

"Oh, well, I hadn't expected to be married so young. Yes, it is the norm for our people, but I am a prince, father wasn't married until he was king." Alois stated, well-composed.

"Yes, but no woman would touch me when I was just the mad stable-boy." He joked, forcing a smile. "Alois, tell the woman she's beautiful, that's what you do to women." He said, with a smile to the queen. Alois, however, simply stood, glancing about the room at his personal guard until finally settling his vision on one of them, who had his face obscured by a head-wrap.

Ernst stared at his son a moment, before a look of realization crossed his face. Immediately he smacked hard on the boy's exposed arm, hard enough to turn his son's light-brown skin red. A moment later, he glanced up at the queen with a smile and mouthed an apology to the prince.

"Sorry, my lady, he had a blood-drinker on his arm." He lied through his teeth.

"I'm just a little nervous, my lady, this was sprung on me so suddenly, you are very beautiful, I would be delighted to have you as my wife." The prince said quickly, nearly interrupting the end of his father's statement.